MURRIETA: Investigation continues in July 4th weekend watercraft deaths
Families wait for answers, coping with loss
By NELSY RODRIGUEZ - Staff Writer | ∞
MURRIETA ---- While investigators continue piecing together the events that led to the deaths of two Murrieta girls over the Fourth of July weekend, the families of the girls wait for answers as they make the final arrangements for their daughters.
Desiree Hobill, 19, and Tiffany Breslin, 14, were killed Saturday when the personal watercraft they were riding collided with a boat on the Colorado River just north of the Needles Bridge.
At 5:30 p.m. the driver of the boat involved in the collision, identified only as Daniel Ashcroft, told San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies that he saw a personal watercraft heading toward his boat but he was unable to slow his speed or avoid hitting it. Hobill was driving the watercraft and Breslin was riding, deputies reported.
Both girls fell off the watercraft and passengers of the boat attempted to help the girls out of the water, deputies reported.
The girls were taken to Colorado River Medical Center where at 7 p.m., Hobill, a Mt. San Jacinto College student, was pronounced dead, the San Bernardino County coroner's office reported.
Breslin was flown to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, Nev., with traumatic head injuries and was pronounced dead at 1:27 a.m. Sunday, the Clark County Coroner's Department reported.
Though the initial sheriff's report indicates Hobill was looking at the Arizona shoreline instead of in the direction she was steering the watercraft, Hobill's father said Tuesday his daughter had always been more responsible than that.
"My daughter knows way better than to ever do that," Ron Hobill said. "We've been boating all her life, all 19 years, since they were little babies. She was well experienced and well-versed on how to maneuver."
Breslin's parents declined to comment, saying they were awaiting results from the investigation.
Hobill also said he wanted to know who was responsible for the death of his daughter. She was completing undergraduate requirements at the local community college with plans to transfer to a four-year university to study engineering, he said. She and her year-older sister, Ashley, were side-by-side teammates on the college softball team, and he was their coach, Ron Hobill said.
Instead of training in the gym with her during the off-season, he is waiting for the coroner to complete an autopsy and return his daughter's body before he can go through the motions to plan her funeral.
"You go through OK moments and then you see something and it just tears you up," he said. "She was just beginning her life and it was taken away."
Contact staff writer Nelsy Rodriguez at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2626, or nrodriguez@californian.com.
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sassy wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:03 AM:That portion of the river is dangerous. I don't think I would ride a PWC in that area. The boats are getting bigger and some people drive way to fast; add booze to the mix and you've got an accident waiting to happen. My sympathy to the families.
My sympathies wrote on Jul 9, 2008 11:43 AM:I am so, so sorry to hear of this tragic accident but I will have to agree that it is that - an accident. Recklessness, alchohol, heat, speed and just too many people in a small area are a dangerous mix. We no longer go to the river as a family, just too rowdy.
My sympathies to the families involved.
Martha M. wrote on Jul 9, 2008 3:56 PM:I too, am so very sorry to hear of this accident. My daughter Sara Michelle was killed last year, August 4th at that very location by the I40 Bridge. She was on 10 years old. The person responsible was allegedly under the influence. That area must, for some reason, be very dangerous. This just breaks my heart all over again. My heart & prayers go out to the families.
With Love wrote on Jul 9, 2008 8:59 PM:As a mom it is hard for me to believe what these families are going thru. My heart and soul go out to them. My girls know them from school and sports and they will be greatly missed. The Hobill family is amazing and I am proud to know them. I hope that there is justice done so that the families can have some closure. With all my love you are in my heart and prayers!
Friends wrote on Jul 10, 2008 2:44 PM:It's sad to think of Tiffany dying so younge. It feels like just yesterday, her and i were talking to each other, laughing. Yet, even though she was so happy and kind to others, her own life ends. as soon as school starts again every one will be rembering tiffany. and we also moren for the death of her friend too. we'll miss you very much, and hope that you live forever in peace. my love is with you for eternity.
Love your friends L/D.
Wendy B. wrote on Jul 10, 2008 7:08 PM:to the Breslin family I'm deeply sorry for the loss of your daughter. I found out yesterday at work. My heart goes out to everyone involved. You will be in my prayers. Take Care of yourself
Cheri wrote on Jul 14, 2008 11:41 AM:I too feel sympathy for the family of the girls..but what about the driver of the boat. Tests show that alcohol was not involved! My heart goes out to Mr. Ashcraft as well. I hope the families can get through this and not let their loss cloud their judgement and place all of the blame on him.
ABBY wrote on Jul 18, 2008 9:42 AM:I don't think this is place to sit here and hash he did, they did. It is really about the loss of 2 young beautiful girls. My sympathy goes to the girls families who lost their daughters and will never see them again. Daniel Ascraft still wakes up every morning.
MDT wrote on Aug 18, 2008 4:55 PM:Condolences to the families and all involved.
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